October
6, 2011 - Ottawa - Today the federal Government and the
Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and
Tourism, announced Canada’s inaugural Federal Tourism Strategy.
“Hoteliers across Canada congratulate and endorse the new Federal
Tourism Strategy,” said Tony Pollard, President of the Hotel
Association of Canada. “This is a momentous and historic occasion for
tourism development in Canada.”

In June 2009 the Hotel Association of Canada and other Tourism leaders
met with Prime Minister Harper when he announced a framework for the
Federal Tourism Strategy. Extensive government and private sector
consultations followed culminating with the announcement today.

“The Hotel Association of Canada commends Minister Bernier for steering
the Federal Tourism Strategy through Cabinet and receiving full support
from his colleagues. The establishment of a ‘wholeof- government
approach’ including all 15 departments affecting tourism is truly
precedent setting,” said Pollard. “Undoubtedly this will ensure greater
alignment across government departments and lead to a tourism agenda
that is supported by all involved.”

Members of the Hotel Association of Canada spent the summer meeting
with MPs across Canada advocating the four priorities detailed within
the Strategy - increasing awareness of Canada as a premier tourism
destination through the Canadian Tourism Commission, facilitating ease
of access for travel to Canada, encouraging product development and
investment and fostering the supply of skills and labour through the
Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council.

About the Hotel Association of
Canada
The Hotel Association of Canada is the national voice and resource for
the Hotel and Lodging Industry in Canada. For over 98 years, it has
worked to enhance the prosperity of the Canadian Hotel and Lodging
Industry through strong member engagements, effective government
advocacy, and the provision of value added programs and services. The
Hotel Association represents more than 8,400 hotels, motels and resorts
that encompass the $16 billion Canadian hotel industry which employs
284,000 people across Canada. www.hotelassociation.ca